AJ Bellvs
CMC MarketsStock Broker Comparison
In this comparison, AJ Bell and CMC Markets clash on cost, long-term investing features, and platform capabilities. The outcome hinges on which strengths matter most to you.
Who should choose AJ Bell vs CMC Markets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
You choose AJ Bell for ISA wrappers. You also get SIPP wrappers and dividend reinvestment. You choose CMC Markets for 24/5 live chat. You also get access to 20 exchanges.
Choose if…
You choose AJ Bell for ISA wrappers. You also get SIPP wrappers and dividend reinvestment. You choose CMC Markets for 24/5 live chat. You also get access to 20 exchanges.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
AJ Bell vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $500 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee |
AJ Bell vs CMC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower fund platform fees than Hargreaves Lansdown at scale
- Stocks & Shares ISA and full-featured SIPP with drawdown
- AIM shares available inside ISA for inheritance tax planning
- Regular investment option at £1.50 per order
- LSE-listed, FCA-regulated with FSCS protection
Cons
- No fractional shares
AJ Bell vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
AJ Bell
criteria win
4
CMC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AJ Bell | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
AJ Bell vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: AJ Bell rates 4.2/5 and CMC Markets rates 4/5. AJ Bell has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
CMC Markets starts from 0.7. Current spread data is not available for AJ Bell. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while AJ Bell requires at least $500. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AJ Bell and CMC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
CMC Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AJ Bell lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while CMC Markets lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AJ Bell supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Neither AJ Bell nor CMC Markets is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both AJ Bell and CMC Markets are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
